Media Releases

LABOR’S $12 MILLION TAFE INVESTMENT FOR THE CENTRAL COAST

May 02, 2019

A Shorten Labor Government will make a $12 million dollar investment in TAFE on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

Labor will build an innovative $10 million Education First Youth Foyer student accommodation complex at Gosford TAFE and provide $2 million to modernise facilities for health and community services training at the Wyong campus.

$10 million for Gosford Education First Youth Foyer

The Foyer will provide up to two years’ accommodation and support for young people aged 16 to 24 at risk of or experiencing homelessness. They will be given the support they need to properly engage in housing, education and employment.

Up to 40 students will have their own apartment with easy access to public transport, shops, employment and community services.

It will be located on the TAFE NSW Gosford campus enabling young people access to quality training opportunities.

The Foyer will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include post-placement support for students for six months after students leave the Foyer.

Students must participate and attain accreditation in six key areas – education, employment, social connections, health and wellbeing, civic participation and housing and living skills.

Students will be supported by Foyer staff, volunteer mentors, local employers and other community sector agencies.

The Foyer aims to stop young people’s long term involvement with income support, social housing, support services and corrections.

There are about 15 Foyers across Australia, supporting between 10 to 98 young people using various accommodation models including congregate facilities, dispersed housing, and networked or mixed accommodation options.

Research demonstrates that the Foyers have resulted in significant improvements in education, employment and housing outcomes for students that are sustained 12 months after leaving.

Findings include:

72 per cent completed Year 12, a Certificate III or higher.

39 per cent were employed a year after.

49 per cent were renting or owned their own home.

32 per cent were living with friends, family and relatives.

Only 3 per cent were found to be living in ‘crisis’, down from 26 per cent.

Improved mental and physical health being reported by students.

$2 million to support health and community services at Wyong TAFE

Labor will invest $2million to provide world-class learning facilities for health and community services courses at Wyong TAFE.

We know that we need more amazing nurses, social workers, allied health professional and carers on the Coast and we want to make sure young people have a clear and accessible path into the sector.

This funding will mean more people can get a quality education while also qualifying for jobs in the region.

Labor will make our health, community and aged care sectors the best they can be with trained staff to provide the best possible care.

Young people deserve education and training opportunities within their local community without having to move to start a career.

The Coalition have done nothing but cut funding to TAFE and it is the current generation of young people who are paying the price.

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for better support for Indigenous young people, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the LNP.

After six years of LNP cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.